By Sam McDonald
Eastern Shore artist and pastor Mary Elizabeth “MAMA-Girl” Onley attracted an enthusiastic flock of fans and followers. Many found inspiration in her colorful newspaper sculptures and paintings, and in her uplifting personality.
Six years after Onley’s death, Old Dominion University will present an exhibition celebrating her joyful artistic vision. “MAMA-Girl!” will be on display at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries Sept. 27, 2024, through May 10, 2025.
An opening reception takes place this Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.
More than a dozen lenders from Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina contributed some 150 objects that represent her life and work. MAMA-Girl depicted a vivid, whimsical world of plants and animals, scenes from the Bible and rural life on the Eastern Shore. The work radiates imagination and optimism.
“It has been gratifying to witness people warm to the idea of honoring MAMA-Girl in this way,” said Cullen Strawn, ODU’s executive director for the arts, who personally curated the show. “This is the first major effort to bring together a diverse array of works that she made throughout her career,” Strawn said. He said he hopes it’s not the last.
The artist’s son, David Rogers, helped assemble elements for the exhibition.
“I’m blown away,” Rogers said. “My mother’s gone out of the flesh, but individuals have gotten together collectively to honor her. I’m in a state of awe and praise.”
Other key partners included Andrew and Barbara Fine of Virginia Beach.
“We became MAMA-Girl ‘groupies’ the first time we met many years ago,” the art-collecting couple explained in a joint statement. “Her gentle demeanor and dimpled smile were irresistible. She called herself a ‘prophetessa’ and said God had personally called upon her to make her art and spread his word. This expansive, in-depth retrospective, with its joyous depictions of people and animals, its humor and outreach to all, celebrates the prophetessa’s legacy.”
Andrew Fine made a phone call that helped to create momentum for the show.
Strawn said he became enamored of MAMA-Girl and her art nine years ago after seeing Onley profiled on an episode of WHRO-TV’s program “Curate.” Years later, he started ruminating on her unique spirit, not realizing that she had passed away in 2018.
“Then, one day, I was in my office and my phone rang. The voice said, ‘Cullen, this is Andy Fine, and I think we should do a MAMA-Girl exhibit.’” Coincidentally, Strawn had been contemplating the same idea.
One of the region’s most beloved folk artists, MAMA-Girl inspires a deep sense of connection among art lovers.
“I think part of the reason so many people across the country and beyond collected her work is because they enjoyed her as a person, in addition to appreciating the pieces themselves,” Strawn said. “She genuinely loved people and championed community and mutual support. She exuded those values, and folks really responded to it. They held her in a special place in their hearts and still think of her fondly and grieve.”
Virginia Beach resident Becky Bump, who contributed pieces to the exhibition, enjoyed several conversations with the artist over the years. She dropped by MAMA-Girl’s Eastern Shore studio — which doubled as a sanctuary — in the town of Painter and was warmly received.
“I liked everything about her,” Bump recalled, “her authenticity, her spirit, her commitment. I found her inspiring. The spirit had moved her, and this is what it moved her to do.”
MAMA-Girl’s son David hopes viewers come away with a positive message: Even those from humble beginnings can succeed through faith, kindness and creativity.
His mother had been a field worker before building an international reputation as an artist.
“I hope they see that you can be lifted to the heights of heaven simply by being who you are and appreciating life,” David Rogers said.
In addition to showcasing MAMA-Girl’s art, the exhibition contains objects from MAMA-Girl’s studio, and other elements:
- Paint-splattered table, chair, and smock
- Paint brushes and blotted paper towels that she rolled and used for “hair” in some of her pieces
- A zebra sculpture in mid-repair (showing unpainted newspaper)
- Life-size model of MAMA-Girl’s pulpit
- Handwritten notebook of her sermons
- Original videos by Mark Atkinson and Jeff Fine, including an unpublished interview with MAMA-Girl in her studio talking about her life
- Historical photographs of life on the Eastern Shore from Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Library and Heritage Center
- Photos courtesy of the Virginia Folklife Program
- Stories and photos from collectors of MAMA-Girl art
In the spring, the Gordon Galleries will release a catalogue documenting the exhibition, featuring object photography by Mark Atkinson.
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Main photo caption: Animals were a favorite subject for Eastern Shore folk artist Mary Elizabeth “MAMA-Girl” Onley. Photo credit: Mark Atkinson